A.J. Preller isn’t wasting any time this offseason-and Padres fans know that when he gets active, things tend to get interesting. After re-signing Michael King and bringing in Korean Baseball Organization standout Sung-Mun Song, Preller kept the momentum going by adding another piece to the puzzle: infielder José Miranda, signed to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training.
It’s the kind of move that’s become a staple of the Preller playbook-low-risk, potentially high-reward. Miranda, still just 27, was once seen as a promising bat with defensive flexibility, and while the shine has faded a bit, there’s still something there. This isn’t a headline-grabbing acquisition, but it’s the kind of depth move that can quietly pay dividends over the course of a 162-game season.
Miranda brings with him a mix of experience and versatility. A former second-round pick, he’s logged time all over the infield during his years with the Minnesota Twins organization.
That kind of flexibility matters, especially for a Padres team that’s seen some key utility pieces-like Ha-Seong Kim-move on in recent seasons. Whether it’s third, second, or even first base in a pinch, Miranda offers coverage, and that’s valuable in today’s game.
Back in 2022, Miranda looked like he might be turning a corner, hitting .268 and showing flashes of the bat that made him a top prospect. But 2023 derailed that momentum. An injury cut into his playing time and production, and things didn’t bounce back the way he or the Twins had hoped.
In 2024, there were signs of life. Miranda posted a .284/.322/.441 line with a 114 wRC+, and interestingly, he’s shown reverse splits throughout his career.
Against right-handed pitching in 2024, he hit .313 with an .856 OPS-numbers that suggest he could be a real asset in a platoon role. Lefties, however, have given him trouble, with a .226 average and .573 OPS in the same season.
Unfortunately, 2025 saw another dip in production. After an early-season demotion, Miranda struggled in Triple-A, finishing with a .195/.272/.296 line.
The bat just didn’t show up, and the Twins ultimately moved on. But again-he’s 27.
This isn’t a reclamation project with a ticking clock. If Miranda can recapture even a slice of his 2024 form, there’s a real chance he could break camp as a bench option or utility piece.
San Diego’s infield picture is already crowded, with Manny Machado locked in at third, Xander Bogaerts at shortstop, and Jake Cronenworth holding down second base-for now. The futures of Ryan O’Hearn and Luis Arraez are still up in the air, and trade rumors continue to swirl around Cronenworth. That opens the door for someone like Miranda, especially if the Padres are looking to balance out their lineup with a right-handed bat who can move around the diamond.
Sung-Mun Song adds another layer of intrigue to the infield mix, and if Miranda shows well in spring training, he could force the issue. Depth matters, and the Padres know as well as anyone how quickly injuries or slumps can test a roster.
This kind of move won’t lead SportsCenter, but it’s exactly the type of signing that can help a contender stay afloat-or even thrive-when the grind of the season hits. Preller has had success with similar pickups in recent years-Donovan Solano in 2024 and Jose Iglesias in 2025 come to mind-and Miranda fits that same mold: experienced, versatile, and still young enough to surprise you.
There’s no guarantee Miranda sticks, but there’s also no downside in giving him a shot. And unlike some of the veteran swings the Padres took in years past-think Matt Carpenter or Yuli Gurriel-this one comes with fresher legs and more upside.
If Miranda clicks, it’s a win. If not, it’s a minor-league deal that doesn’t cost the Padres anything.
Either way, it’s another savvy move from Preller, who continues to quietly build out the roster with an eye toward depth, flexibility, and upside heading into 2026. Keep an eye on this one.